2 gourdes 1859
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This is a heavily circulated Haiti 2 Gourdes note from 1859 (Pick-42), featuring an ornate engraved design with allegorical maritime imagery and dual portrait medallions of President Fabre Geffrard. The note displays extensive age-related deterioration including creasing, foxing, staining, and a red cancellation stamp on the reverse, consistent with its F (Fair) condition grade. The intricate engraving work and historical significance of this early Haitian banknote make it a notable example of 19th-century Caribbean currency design despite its worn state.
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Issued under the law of April 16, 1827, this banknote represents Haiti's early post-independence monetary system during the presidency of Fabre Geffrard (1859-1867). The maritime and allegorical imagery reflects Haiti's importance as a Caribbean nation dependent on shipping and trade, while the dual portraits emphasize the authority of the Republic. The note's French inscriptions underscore Haiti's Francophone heritage and the formal legal backing of the currency by the public treasury.
The obverse features a classical allegorical design centered on an ornate oval vignette depicting maritime/naval symbolism including ship imagery and classical architectural elements, flanked by two circular portrait medallions containing male portraits (identified as President Fabre Geffrard on both left and right positions). The design is framed by elaborate scrollwork and decorative border patterns typical of high-security engraving of the period. The reverse bears minimal printed content, dominated by a large red official cancellation stamp in the lower right area, indicating post-circulation processing or archival marking.
FRONT: 'REPUBLIQUE D'HAITI' (Republic of Haiti); 'DEUX GOURDES' (Two Gourdes); 'billet circulem dans la Republique pour la valeur de' (banknote circulating in the Republic for the value of); 'et le trésor public en garantit la valeur au porteur, en vertu de la loi du 16 Avril, 1827' (and the public treasury guarantees its value to the bearer, by virtue of the law of April 16, 1827); 'Pour le Trésorier Général' (For the General Treasurer); Serial number 'N°67980' and series marking 'S°O5'. BACK: Large red official stamp/seal mark (text illegible due to wear and age).
Steel engraving with fine line work and ornamental detail work throughout. The note was printed by Waterlow & Sons (W&S), London, a renowned international security printer of the 19th century, as evidenced by the detailed classical engraving style and complex border designs. The use of multiple ink colors (black primary design, red stamp/seal marks) and the intricate medallion framing demonstrate the advanced anti-counterfeiting techniques available to Haitian authorities in 1859.
Serial number 67980 with series marking S°O5 observed on this example. The note is identified as a specimen issue in some references. Watermark present (W&S). The 1859 dating corresponds to Pick-42's cataloging period (L. 16.04.1827 law date, 1859-1867 circulation period). Printer attribution to both Waterlow, London (per Pick catalog) and W&S (per community references) confirms this specimen's authenticity as a Waterlow & Sons production from the era.
